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The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested three people, including the alleged mastermind, in connection with the robbery of Tk12.1 million from DL Filling Station in the capital and recovered Tk4.8 million of the stolen money.
The arrestees are identified as Hakim, the alleged mastermind, Kawsar, who gathered information about the cash movement, and Jalil, who allegedly carried out the robbery.
RAB spokesperson and Wing Commander M Z M Intekhab Chowdhury disclosed the information at a press conference at the RAB Media Centre in Karwan Bazar on Thursday (August 20).
According to the RAB spokesperson, an armed gang intercepted a small red covered van carrying Tk12.1 million from DL Filling Station at around 10:30am on August 9.
The money was being taken to a bank for deposit when the robbers blocked the vehicle and fled with the cash.
An intensive RAB intelligence operation following the robbery uncovered details of the organised gang’s activities. Kawsar learned that a large amount of money was regularly transported from the filling station to a bank through an employee who worked there.
Kawsar had met Hakim, an accused in 18 cases, while both were in jail in connection with a gold robbery case in Cumilla. After Hakim was released on bail, the two began planning the robbery.
On August 2, a week before the robbery, Hakim, Kawsar and Jalil Molla visited DL Filling Station and conducted a detailed reconnaissance of the area, RAB said.
Besides Hakim and Kawsar, seven other gang members were involved in executing the robbery. Six of them directly participated in the operation on three motorcycles, while another member acted as an informant near the filling station.
The informant, identified as Mustafiz, stood near the station and used his mobile phone to alert the rest of the gang in Dhaka when the red covered van carrying the money left the premises.
When the van reached in front of Crown Plaza under Airport Police Station, the gang members riding three motorcycles intercepted it and fled with the money.
After the robbery, the gang members divided the Tk12.1 million among themselves.
According to RAB, Jalil kept around Tk5.3 million and was carrying a pistol during the robbery. Another accomplice, Sagar Barai, allegedly received around Tk1.4 million and was also armed with a pistol.
The Detective Branch had already arrested Sagar and recovered around Tk1.2 million from him.
Mustafiz, who acted as the informant, allegedly received around Tk1.4 million. Shafqat Hossain Dipu received around Tk1 million, while Sohel allegedly received Tk1 million. Ali, who was seen carrying a machete in CCTV footage, also allegedly received around Tk1 million.
Shafqat Hossain Dipu reportedly took another unidentified accomplice with him, who also received around Tk1 million.
RAB said the shares belonging to Hakim and Kawsar were kept with Jalil. However, Jalil went into hiding before he could hand over their shares.
RAB spokesperson Intekhab Chowdhury said the information about how the stolen money was divided was obtained during preliminary interrogation of Jalil and would be verified through further investigation.
Regarding the arrests and recovery of weapons, RAB said Hakim was arrested on the night of August 16 based on warrants in two previous cases. Three foreign-made pistols, three magazines, two rounds of ammunition, two police handcuffs and a wireless communication set were recovered from his residence.
Based on information provided by Hakim, Kawsar was arrested in Uttara on the morning of August 17. RAB intelligence operations continued based on information obtained from Hakim, leading to Jalil’s arrest in the Kaptai area of Rangamati on the night of August 18.
Acting on information provided by Jalil, RAB conducted a raid in Charbhag Madhyapara of Ashulia and recovered Tk4.8 million from the Tk5.3 million that Jalil had kept.
During preliminary interrogation, Jalil admitted to his involvement in the robbery, according to the RAB spokesperson. He was also allegedly involved in a Tk1.7 million dollar robbery in Motijheel around two and a half months ago.
RAB said its operation would continue to arrest other members of the gang and recover the remaining stolen money.